Kendrick Perkins believes comparing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving is unfair: “Kyrie Irving is what’s wrong with the Nets”
Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons have continued to dominate headlines this season. Durant's disdain for coach Steve Nash during the offseason was well documented. On the other hand, Irving has both clashed with the media and created controversy through social media posts. Then, of course, there is Simmons, who has been a nonfactor.
While the Brooklyn Nets' big three all share a role in the below-average start to the season, there is one player who sticks out more than the rest.
Irving, who is currently on media blackout per the team, deserves the most blame. In addition to his controversy off the floor, Irving couldn't get it together on the court against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night. He was 2-for-12, including 0-for-6 from 3-point range, in a 108-99 loss.
Kendrick Perkins believes Irving is exactly what's wrong with the Nets (2-6). The team is in the midst of a two-day layoff that could see them return with a new coach when they play the Washington Wizards on Friday. When they take the floor, they will be looking to pick up just their third win of the season.
"Kyrie Irving is what is wrong with the Nets, and let me explain why," Perkins said. "One, let's stop connecting KD and Kyrie Irving together. ... Kevin Durant is a guy that just want to show up and play the game of basketball and let his game do the talking.
"But when you look at Kyrie Irving ... if you don't have a clear mind and you have other situations that are going on outside the lines, those things could come and affect your game."
The comments came during a recent ESPN segment, which can be viewed below. The quotes begin around the 2:30 mark.
Kyrie Irving's recent performances
The night before Perkins' comments, Irving put on a poor display against the Chicago Bulls. Throughout the course of the game, he failed to make a three-pointer en route to a negative plus-minus rating (minus-14).
According to Perkins, Irving simply didn't look like his head was in the game. Whether it was just a bad game or whether it was the result of all of the other noise surrounding Irving, he wasn't sure. What he did know is that Irving looked like he didn't want to be there.
"Right now, the thing what I saw out of Kyrie Irving last night was that he wasn't there," Perkins said. "He wasn't engaged, didn't really want to play the game last night. Now, is it because everything that's happening as far as his statements and social media and things to that nature? Maybe."
On Friday, the Nets will take on the Wizards in Washington. It could be the first time media members hear from Irving following his verbal sparring session with ESPN reporter Nick Friedell. Whether or not Irving chooses to hold his tongue when his media gag-order is up is anyone's guess.
Check out a video below of the "First Things First" crew discussing Irving's four-point performance against the Bulls.